Inishmaan (/ˌɪnɪʃˈmæn/IN-ish-MAN; Irish: Inis Meáin[ˈɪnʲɪʃmʲaːnʲ], the official name, formerly spelled Inis Meadhóin, meaning "middle island") is the middle of the three main Aran Islands in Galway Bay, off the west coast of Ireland. It is part of County Galway in the province of Connacht. Inishmaan has a population of about 184 (census 2022), making it the smallest of the Aran Islands in terms of population. It is one of the most important strongholds of traditional Irish culture. The island is predominantly Irish-speaking and part of the Gaeltacht, though all inhabitants have knowledge of English.
The island is an extension of The Burren. The terrain of the island is composed of limestone pavements with crisscrossing cracks known as "grykes", leaving isolated rocks called "clints". The limestones date from the Visean period (Lower Carboniferous), formed as sediments in a tropical sea about 350 million years ago, and compressed into horizontal strata with fossil corals, crinoids, sea urchins, and ammonites.
Glaciation following the Namurian phase facilitated greater denudation. The result is that Inishmaan is one of the finest examples of a Glacio-karst landscape in the world. The effects of the last glacial period (the Midlandian) are most in evidence, with the island overrun by ice during this glaciation. The impact of earlier karstification (solutional erosion) has been eliminated by the last glacial period. So any karstification now seen dates from around 10,000 years ago, so the island karst is recent.
Solutional processes have widened and deepened the grykes of the limestone pavement. Pre-existing lines of weakness in the rock (vertical joints) contribute to the formation of extensive fissures separated by clints (flat, pavement-like slabs). The rock karstification facilitates the formation of subterranean drainage.
Climate and agricultureEdit
The island has an unusually temperate climate. Average air temperatures range from 15 °C (59 °F) in July to 6 °C (43 °F) in January. The soil temperature does not usually drop below 6 °C (although the end of 2010 recorded a prolonged period of snow, the first in living memory). Since grass will grow once the temperature rises above 6 °C, the island (like the neighbouring Burren) has one of the longest growing seasons in Ireland or Britain, and supports diverse and rich plant growth. Late May is the sunniest time,[5] and also likely the best time to view flowers, with the gentians and avens peaking (but orchid species blooming later).
Flora and faunaEdit
The island supports arctic, Mediterranean, and alpine plants side-by-side, due to the unusual environment. Like the Burren, the Aran Islands are renowned for their remarkable assemblage of plants and animals.[6] The grykes (crevices) provide moist shelter, thus supporting a wide range of plants, including dwarf shrubs. Where the surface of the pavement is shattered into gravel, many of the hardier arctic or alpine plants can be found, but when the limestone pavement is covered by a thin layer of soil, patches of grass are seen, interspersed with plants such as gentians and orchids. Notable insects present include the butterfly the pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne), brown hairstreak (Thecla betulae), marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) and wood white (Leptidea sinapis); the moths, the burren green (Calamia tridens), Irish annulet (Gnophos dumetata) and transparent burnet (Zygaena purpuralis); and the hoverfly Doros profuges.
Teach Synge is the house where John Millington Synge stayed on the island every summer from 1898 to 1902, where he was hosted by Bríd and Páidín Mac Donnchadha. It was here he is said to have got inspiration for his plays The Playboy of the Western World,[7]Riders to the Sea, and many of his other works from stories he heard while on Inishmaann. The house he stayed in, Teach Synge, was inhabited by descendants of the Mac Donnchadha family until the 1970s, when it began to fall into disrepair. It has been restored to its original condition, and has been open to the public since August 1999.
Islander (photo taken around 1900)
Cathaoir Synge (Synge's Chair) was the writer's favourite place on the island, overlooking Inis Mór and the Atlantic.
DemographicsEdit
The table below reports data on Inishmaan's population taken from Discover the Islands of Ireland (Alex Ritsema, Collins Press, 1999) and the Census of Ireland. Census data in Ireland before 1841 are not considered complete and/or reliable.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1841
473
—
1851
503
+6.3%
1861
478
−5.0%
1871
433
−9.4%
1881
473
+9.2%
1891
456
−3.6%
1901
421
−7.7%
1911
420
−0.2%
1926
380
−9.5%
Year
Pop.
±%
1936
375
−1.3%
1946
388
+3.5%
1951
361
−7.0%
1956
361
+0.0%
1961
357
−1.1%
1966
342
−4.2%
1971
319
−6.7%
1979
237
−25.7%
1981
238
+0.4%
Year
Pop.
±%
1986
236
−0.8%
1991
216
−8.5%
1996
191
−11.6%
2002
187
−2.1%
2006
154
−17.6%
2011
157
+1.9%
2016
183
+16.6%
2022
184
+0.5%
Source: Central Statistics Office. "CNA17: Population by Off Shore Island, Sex and Year". CSO.ie. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
InfrastructureEdit
The island is connected to the national grid via a submarine cable as well as having wind turbines with an installed capacity of 675 kW.[citation needed]
Inishmaan also has a wind farm which runs its desalination plant and fuels the electric car.[9]
Inishmaan has a new jetty ("Caladh Mor") since 2007. It also has an airstrip connecting it to the mainland.
EducationEdit
There is a primary school on the island, Scoil Náisiúnta Inis Meáin.[10]
There is also a secondary school, Colaiste Naomh Eoin.[11] Coláiste Naomh Eoin was opened on 1 September 2003 under the auspices of Coláiste Colmchille (Inverin) and the County Galway Vocational Education Committee. It caters for the entire second level educational needs of the Aran islands. Senior Cycle was first introduced in 2006. The school is housed in a building on hire from the local co-operative. Four school classrooms and the school office are located there. The new science laboratory was renovated in 2008. A woodwork, technical graphics and construction studies workshop was added to the infrastructure over 2008/2010. The school also has use of the local football pitch, in addition to a lined basketball court. The students of Coláiste Naomh Eoin wear a red V neck jumper with a grey polo neck with the crest of the school imprinted on them. Both male and female students wear black trousers with black shoes or runners.
Public libraryEdit
There is a public library on the island. It holds a diverse and quality collection of adult and children's books. It is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 2.00pm to 4.00pm and on Saturdays from 11.00am to 1.00pm. The library provides a reference and local studies collection with information on the heritage and history of the island. There is also free internet access.
SportEdit
Some of the limestone sea cliffs have attracted interest from rock-climbers.[12] Diving is popular.[13] Inishmaan is home to the game Cead. This is a traditional sport unique to the island. Cead means "permission" in Irish. Cead is only allowed to be played once a year, on Saint Patrick's Day. Only men can partake in the competitive aspect of the sport. There is an annual 5 km/10km12km race each March known as the 'Inis Iron Meáin Race' organised by Colaiste Noamh Eoin, the island secondary school.
Synge, J. M. 1903. "A Dream on Inis Meáin". Green Sheaf. no. 2: 8-9.
Synge, J. M. A Story from Inis Meáin. Dublin: New Ireland Review, 1898.
October 19, 2023
inishmaan, irish, inis, meáin, ˈɪnʲɪʃ, mʲaːnʲ, official, name, formerly, spelled, inis, meadhóin, meaning, middle, island, middle, three, main, aran, islands, galway, west, coast, ireland, part, county, galway, province, connacht, population, about, census, 20. Inishmaan ˌ ɪ n ɪ ʃ ˈ m ae n IN ish MAN Irish Inis Meain ˈɪnʲɪʃ mʲaːnʲ the official name formerly spelled Inis Meadhoin meaning middle island is the middle of the three main Aran Islands in Galway Bay off the west coast of Ireland It is part of County Galway in the province of Connacht Inishmaan has a population of about 184 census 2022 making it the smallest of the Aran Islands in terms of population It is one of the most important strongholds of traditional Irish culture The island is predominantly Irish speaking and part of the Gaeltacht though all inhabitants have knowledge of English InishmaanNative name Inis Meain 1 View on Inis MeainInishmaanGeographyLocationAtlantic OceanCoordinates53 05 06 N 9 35 24 W 53 08500 N 9 59000 W 53 08500 9 59000Area2 342 acres 948 ha 2 Length4 km 2 5 mi 3 Width2 5 km 1 55 mi 3 Highest elevation84 m 276 ft 2 AdministrationIrelandProvinceConnachtCountyGalwayDemographicsPopulation184 2022 4 Pop density19 km2 49 sq mi Contents 1 Geology and geography 2 Climate and agriculture 3 Flora and fauna 4 Landmarks 4 1 Archaeological sites 4 2 Synge s Cottage and Chair 5 Demographics 6 Infrastructure 7 Education 8 Public library 9 Sport 10 In popular culture 11 See also 12 References 13 External links 14 Gallery 15 Further readingGeology and geography EditThe island is an extension of The Burren The terrain of the island is composed of limestone pavements with crisscrossing cracks known as grykes leaving isolated rocks called clints The limestones date from the Visean period Lower Carboniferous formed as sediments in a tropical sea about 350 million years ago and compressed into horizontal strata with fossil corals crinoids sea urchins and ammonites Glaciation following the Namurian phase facilitated greater denudation The result is that Inishmaan is one of the finest examples of a Glacio karst landscape in the world The effects of the last glacial period the Midlandian are most in evidence with the island overrun by ice during this glaciation The impact of earlier karstification solutional erosion has been eliminated by the last glacial period So any karstification now seen dates from around 10 000 years ago so the island karst is recent Solutional processes have widened and deepened the grykes of the limestone pavement Pre existing lines of weakness in the rock vertical joints contribute to the formation of extensive fissures separated by clints flat pavement like slabs The rock karstification facilitates the formation of subterranean drainage Climate and agriculture EditThe island has an unusually temperate climate Average air temperatures range from 15 C 59 F in July to 6 C 43 F in January The soil temperature does not usually drop below 6 C although the end of 2010 recorded a prolonged period of snow the first in living memory Since grass will grow once the temperature rises above 6 C the island like the neighbouring Burren has one of the longest growing seasons in Ireland or Britain and supports diverse and rich plant growth Late May is the sunniest time 5 and also likely the best time to view flowers with the gentians and avens peaking but orchid species blooming later Flora and fauna EditThe island supports arctic Mediterranean and alpine plants side by side due to the unusual environment Like the Burren the Aran Islands are renowned for their remarkable assemblage of plants and animals 6 The grykes crevices provide moist shelter thus supporting a wide range of plants including dwarf shrubs Where the surface of the pavement is shattered into gravel many of the hardier arctic or alpine plants can be found but when the limestone pavement is covered by a thin layer of soil patches of grass are seen interspersed with plants such as gentians and orchids Notable insects present include the butterfly the pearl bordered fritillary Boloria euphrosyne brown hairstreak Thecla betulae marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia and wood white Leptidea sinapis the moths the burren green Calamia tridens Irish annulet Gnophos dumetata and transparent burnet Zygaena purpuralis and the hoverfly Doros profuges Landmarks Edit nbsp Dun Chonchuir Conor s fort InishmaanArchaeological sites Edit Eight sites on Inishmaan are designated as National Monuments NM 42 Doonbeg Ringfort Carrownlisheen Wedge Tomb Diarmuid and Grainne s Bed Templesaghtmacree a church Carrownlisheen Cross Labbanakinneriga a church Dun Fearbhai a cashel stone ringfort Kilcoonagh Church Dun Conor Dun Chonchuir Synge s Cottage and Chair Edit nbsp Synge s CottageTeach Synge is the house where John Millington Synge stayed on the island every summer from 1898 to 1902 where he was hosted by Brid and Paidin Mac Donnchadha It was here he is said to have got inspiration for his plays The Playboy of the Western World 7 Riders to the Sea and many of his other works from stories he heard while on Inishmaann The house he stayed in Teach Synge was inhabited by descendants of the Mac Donnchadha family until the 1970s when it began to fall into disrepair It has been restored to its original condition and has been open to the public since August 1999 nbsp Islander photo taken around 1900 Cathaoir Synge Synge s Chair was the writer s favourite place on the island overlooking Inis Mor and the Atlantic Demographics EditThe table below reports data on Inishmaan s population taken from Discover the Islands of Ireland Alex Ritsema Collins Press 1999 and the Census of Ireland Census data in Ireland before 1841 are not considered complete and or reliable Historical populationYearPop 1841473 1851503 6 3 1861478 5 0 1871433 9 4 1881473 9 2 1891456 3 6 1901421 7 7 1911420 0 2 1926380 9 5 YearPop 1936375 1 3 1946388 3 5 1951361 7 0 1956361 0 0 1961357 1 1 1966342 4 2 1971319 6 7 1979237 25 7 1981238 0 4 YearPop 1986236 0 8 1991216 8 5 1996191 11 6 2002187 2 1 2006154 17 6 2011157 1 9 2016183 16 6 2022184 0 5 Source Central Statistics Office CNA17 Population by Off Shore Island Sex and Year CSO ie Retrieved 12 October 2016 Infrastructure EditThe island is connected to the national grid via a submarine cable as well as having wind turbines with an installed capacity of 675 kW citation needed A desalination plant provides water for the residents but water shortages are still a common occurrence 8 failed verification Inishmaan also has a wind farm which runs its desalination plant and fuels the electric car 9 Inishmaan has a new jetty Caladh Mor since 2007 It also has an airstrip connecting it to the mainland Education EditThere is a primary school on the island Scoil Naisiunta Inis Meain 10 There is also a secondary school Colaiste Naomh Eoin 11 Colaiste Naomh Eoin was opened on 1 September 2003 under the auspices of Colaiste Colmchille Inverin and the County Galway Vocational Education Committee It caters for the entire second level educational needs of the Aran islands Senior Cycle was first introduced in 2006 The school is housed in a building on hire from the local co operative Four school classrooms and the school office are located there The new science laboratory was renovated in 2008 A woodwork technical graphics and construction studies workshop was added to the infrastructure over 2008 2010 The school also has use of the local football pitch in addition to a lined basketball court The students of Colaiste Naomh Eoin wear a red V neck jumper with a grey polo neck with the crest of the school imprinted on them Both male and female students wear black trousers with black shoes or runners Public library EditThere is a public library on the island It holds a diverse and quality collection of adult and children s books It is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 2 00pm to 4 00pm and on Saturdays from 11 00am to 1 00pm The library provides a reference and local studies collection with information on the heritage and history of the island There is also free internet access Sport EditSome of the limestone sea cliffs have attracted interest from rock climbers 12 Diving is popular 13 Inishmaan is home to the game Cead This is a traditional sport unique to the island Cead means permission in Irish Cead is only allowed to be played once a year on Saint Patrick s Day Only men can partake in the competitive aspect of the sport There is an annual 5 km 10km12km race each March known as the Inis Iron Meain Race organised by Colaiste Noamh Eoin the island secondary school In popular culture EditThe island is the setting for the 1996 play The Cripple of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh See also EditAran Islands Galway Bay Inishmeane County Donegal References Edit Inis Meain Inishmaan Placenames Database of Ireland a b OSI Maps 6 Cassini Maps osi ie Ordnance Survey Ireland Archived from the original on 6 July 2020 Retrieved 9 May 2022 a b Aran Islands Inishmaan Inis Meain www discoverireland ie Failte Ireland Retrieved 5 April 2015 Population of Inhabited Islands Off the Coast Report Central Statistics Office 2023 Retrieved 29 June 2023 Met Eireann The Irish Meteorological Service Online www met ie Retrieved 8 October 2013 D A Webb Noteworthy Plants of the Burren 1961 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Section B Biological Geological and Chemical Science Full text available from Project Gutenberg Gutenberg org Retrieved 8 October 2013 Lawless John 1 July 2010 Inis mean water restored airport still closed www aranisland info Archived from the original on 6 October 2011 Retrieved 8 October 2013 Siggins Lorna 15 January 2011 Eight families go electric in Aran Islands pilot project The Irish Times Retrieved 8 June 2020 Dail Eireann Volume 431 03 June 1993 Adjournment Debate Scoil Inis Meain Gaillimh Retrieved 6 May 2021 Colaiste Naomh Eoin Iarbhunscoil lan Ghaelach Conaithe ar Oileain Arann www colaistenaomheoin ie Aran Islands Irish Climbing Online Wiki Wiki climbing ie Retrieved 8 October 2013 scuba diving ireland www tempoweb com Archived from the original on 17 May 2013 Retrieved 8 October 2013 External links EditOfficial Guide to the Aran Islands Aer Arann IslandsGallery Edit nbsp Inside Dun Chonchuir Conor s fort Inishmaan nbsp Church of Our Lady and St John nbsp Inishmaan airport nbsp Inishmaan Landscape nbsp Inishmaan Coastline nbsp Wild garlic at InishmaanFurther reading Edit nbsp Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Inishmaan nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Inishmaan Coley Patricia and J M Armer Inis Meain London Queen Mary College Univ 1959 Quilkin Rennie Mc 1999 Inis Meain Poetry 174 no 5 277 Synge J M 1903 A Dream on Inis Meain Green Sheaf no 2 8 9 Synge J M A Story from Inis Meain Dublin New Ireland Review 1898 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Inishmaan amp oldid 1162529465, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
